I know we probably lost quite a few people during the upgrades to the site, still though it just doesn't seem to be as active as it used to be.

OK, I'm not going to fall into the trap of the "millenials" are the cause of and solution to the above. Yeah, left and right swiping and clicking of like buttons is everywhere, cross-generational and otherwise. The "iGen" (the next generation in high school now) is supposed to be even worse than the millenials about doing anything at all but staring at screens all day.

I have been too busy to spend as much time here as I used to...
Summer tends to do that, although I agree things are gradually getting slower.

My main concern about "Millennials or the iGen" is that very, very few are inclined for fix anything, and just trash things and buy new.
There are a few into programming or robotics, but given that even the USAF doesn't internally fix avionics gear (past aircraft level) anymore, its very hard to train the next generation of folks that fix complex electro-mechanical things anymore, other than perhaps some Navy ETs and helo/jet engine mechanics.

Yeah, growing up we had the impression a pill would fix everything (still do actually) but now it's an app. will make our lives ever easier. Where's the app. to turn the damned thing off by itself or take a break from it? Sorry, kids have it too easy, way too easy nowadays.

I read in the 30s and 40s when industry started migrating away from craftsmen work to assembly line work (and now automation) that the appreciation for good workmanship was being lost and has continued to this day. In turn, a lot people don't appreciate how much work goes into something or more importantly they don't even get started because it seems insurmountable. In fact, there's so many commercials out there of the "stupid" clueless husband stereotype after a while I'm sure guys start believing it. Now that Germanlook.net is no more (although I hope it comes back) I really started noticing how there are fewer and fewer modified cars on the road also.

Just thinking out loud on all of this while our old rusty cars rot away and no one there to pass the baton to...

I find tools by the side of the road here in Houston, a lot actually that bounce out of work trucks. Some tools are Harbor Junk, but some are lifetime warranty brands. I've been collecting a set for my daughter who's going into 1st grade. Fortunately, she's very interested in the bus, fabrication, welding, and how stuff is put together.

Fabrication as an industry will never really go away (maybe diminish some more) but fitting a square peg in a round hole as a need will ALWAYS be there at some level. And when something breaks around the household I at least try to fix it to get some more life out of it before just chucking it out to the curb.

Piledriver wrote:I have been too busy to spend as much time here as I used to...
Summer tends to do that, although I agree things are gradually getting slower.

My main concern about "Millennials or the iGen" is that very, very few are inclined for fix anything, and just trash things and buy new.
There are a few into programming or robotics, but given that even the USAF doesn't internally fix avionics gear (past aircraft level) anymore, its very hard to train the next generation of folks that fix complex electro-mechanical things anymore, other than perhaps some Navy ETs and helo/jet engine mechanics.

Fixing anything for a hobby is a slowly dying passion.

It is scary thinking about the next generation. It's hard to get the kids interested in anything that doesn't involve the web. Even my son, who built his own forge and is enrolled in school for electro- mechanical training, is scared to work on his own stuff. Our fault- made life too easy for them.

"I read in the 30s and 40s when industry started migrating away from craftsmen work to assembly line work (and now automation) that the appreciation for good workmanship was being lost and has continued to this day. In turn, a lot people don't appreciate how much work goes into something or more importantly they don't even get started because it seems insurmountable."

I think some of what is said here is true but luckily not all the skills were lost, maybe changed some due to rules and different alloys available, but not all the information was lost. Metal working has come back into vogue somewhat but it is also expensive to have done... because of the time needed to do it right. Reality TV I think has somewhat got people interested in doing a good job... not just hashing things together and driving that. Still see a lot of "crap" out there for sale but I think pride is somewhat back in vogue.

I was lucky to be able to work with mechanics and metal formers from the "30s and 40s" (late 50s into the early 60s) and did learn some tricks from them (not enough though) but they were also retiring too. A lot of the tools they used are not available any more then add to that all the electronics now days and it is a whole different thing. I remember the first guys who got certified working with electronics and while they could use them they could not solve, then fix things without them too.

This last week I got to spend some time with an old sheet metal worker who taught me some tricks with a metal brake and other "Old Tyme" things..

Maybe it is just me, I dunno. You get people talking and they seem to know the difference between good and bad quality, but again they don't really understand the amount of time, effort, and most importantly patience required. Admittedly, there are a good many things I wouldn't even attempt just a few years ago because I knew I would get frustrated too soon into it. Not saying I'm an expert or anything though, just maybe a little more patient.

Those "reality" TV shows are good and bad. I agree very good in the sense that it does generate interest, but very bad in that it hyper-inflates prices of cars, antiques, etc. basically pricing us hobby enthusiasts out of the market in some ways. My friend knew one of the welders who worked on one of those shows, I can't remember which one but probably the one with Jesse James. Anyhoo, when the guests went to sleep, he and 10 other guys would "finish" the cars during the night to make the deadline for the week.

I go to metal meets here in Houston when I can. It's the same group of old dudes (mostly machinists) and I'm by far the youngest there. The thought has crossed my mind more than once about all the knowledge lost when they die off.

I got into VWs in 1992. The internet hit full steam about '94. Having worked on things on cars with and without the internet I prefer having the digital resource, pictures, and expertise of course. What worries me is the screens and formats nowadays. We all know it's addictive--especially for kids. In Silicon Valley, a good many of the top executives know the "dangers" of this, too. Where do they send THEIR kids? Tech-free schools.

I hope it doesn't sound like I'm doom and gloom. Again, I just don't see as many posts on STF and wondering if it's the hobby or the site??

The hyper-inflating of prices via the reality shows is not new. Back in the early 50's it was already happening via the Hemming's Catalogue.(https://www.hemmings.com/price-guide/). A couple of the shows are so phony for the stuff they sell and the prices they get... sales and prices have to be staged or they put ads in the papers asking for stupid people to be filmed looking even more stupid .

Some of the reality shows do show how to and talk about real time while some of them infer bot the how to and the time needed but not always to the point of where you learn something on every episode. Some of the How-to videos on the web are good while some try to be.

One thing for sure, prices are not going to go down and that people think their stuff it top drawer and ask top drawer prices. Flippers of cars is not new and businesses dealing with old cars w/new car prices doesn't help either. Being realistic is difficult and can be expensive.

I am fairly new on this site, posted a few times, got some excellent results and then life got busy. I haven't been able to use all the good stuff I gleaned here yet but fully intend to. After the garden is harvested, the cars are winterized, the rototiller is put away and the snow blower mounted in it's place, the root cellar roof is propped back up, the kitchen is renovated, the chickens and ducks are butchered, the garage is cleaned out and organized so I can find my tools...

Then it will be spring and time to start all over again!

Oh and did I mention I need to paint the eves and put up the eves troughs?

This happens every so often but it seem like it has happened more this year. School for some, getting kids ready for school, he end of rips or finished projects probably has a lot to do with it. There are a lot of in and outs so don't feel that you can't ask questions, as questions or have ideas.